Agony is the best video game representation of Hell ever created, but it's the only thing the game has got going for itself. With its lack of gameplay direction, poorly explained mechanics and bad pacing, playing Agony can be a hellish experience, and not for the reasons the development team intended.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is a fantastic fighting game, marred by what feels like suspicious DLC practice and very familiar assets. If you can see past that though, you're going to massively enjoy this intense and intuitive anime fighter.

Onrush is a smart, modern rethink of 2000s era arcade driving games, which deftly combines over-the-top, blazing-fast action with elements of popular team-based shooters like Overwatch. No, Onrush isn’t a traditional racing game, and it may take a little getting used to, but those willing to give something new a chance are in for a raucous ride.

Dontnod worked hard to create an immersive, dark world to explore and it succeeds in doing so. Despite some boring conversations, most of the world of Vampyr is an exciting, dangerous place and if nothing else, being a vampire in here is also very fun.

Aragami: Nightfall is a worthy expansion for the stealth game developed by Lince Works, with four new story chapters taking place before the awakening of Aragami, new Shadow Techniques and new scenarios, which are as varied as the ones found in the main game. As the DLC doesn't offer anything substantially new, however, those who didn't like the main game will not change their opinion with Nightfall.

Destiny 2: Warmind tries to do just enough to appeal to hardcore Destiny 2 fan base and doesn't seem to have enough for casual Destiny player or anyone who may have fallen off the franchise. From the brief campaign to the tedious level grind, it's hard to Destiny 2's second expansion full-on recommendation.

The games in this collection are timeless; they deserved far more respect than this.

MachiaVillain has a decent amount going for it, there's little doubt there. The concept is fun and one that isn't explored enough, with the added twist of a Cabin in the Woods vibe only helping matters. Once you get into it, the gameplay is engaging, particularly building. It does turns into a bit of a slog as you advance through the ranks though. A lot is also buried beneath the large amount of micromanagement.

Moonlighter is a wonderful game that uses a delightful separation of tools to make you want to keep playing. It innovates the dungeon crawler genre in the most ingenious way possible.

Jumping into Dark Souls Remastered again isn't quite the same as your first time through but it's still a magical journey. And if you've never played Dark Souls before? This is is definitely the best way to experience the game that kickstarted a genre of its own. Dark Souls Remastered should be essential for action RPG fans and those wanting to put their skills to the test.

Space Hulk Deathwing Enhanced Edition doesn't feel enhanced. The gunplay and enemies are boring, the story isn't interesting and the crashes (on PlayStation 4) are very frustrating.

There are some great story paths to Detroit: Become Human that can lead to different outcomes, but it's still a Quantic Dream game through and through. Expect a convoluted story that reveals itself through repeated playthroughs, characters that you grow attached to and fear to lose, and enough QTE-driven fights to make your thumbs bleed.

Reverie is a bite-sized adventure in the same vein as Link's GameBoy adventures and half as filling. There are some charming ideas and brain-teasing puzzles but not much else that truly sets it apart.

Trailblazers isn’t a bad game, it just doesn’t do anything to make me ever want to go back to it. The multiplayer portion of the game does not have enough players to get into matches consistently (or ever, in my case) leaving the lackluster single player content. There’s also the local multiplayer but, just like the single-player content, you and your friends will get bored relatively quickly. To top everything off, the price of the game is far too high for what you are getting, making it difficult to convince anyone you know to pick it up.

State of Decay 2 is every bit as fun and rough as the first game was in 2013. It feels like a game that would have massively benefited from additional resources during development given its numerous technical shortcomings, but even so, its core (improved in this sequel) remains unique and fun to play, especially with friends. It's one of those titles that can be described as being more than the sum of its parts.

I didn't expect to enjoy going back to Hyrule Warriors as much as I did. The included DLC content, local multiplayer and better performance make this one of my personal all-time favorite Warriors games. There are still some frustrating aspects, and I'm not sure I'm willing to invest the required time to grind out 100%, but Warriors fans and those who haven't played Hyrule Warriors yet will find their money's worth in Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition.

Despite its issues and flaunts, I couldn't keep myself away from Conan Exiles. Its meaty combat, huge map and nicely paced objectives made the game morish, even when I got lost (in the menus, not the jungles).

The makers of Omensight probably wish they had an infinite time loop of their own. Painfully repetitive and lacking in polish, this game clearly needed a bit longer in the oven. Forgiving Majora’s Mask fans may find Omensight’s story and action enjoyable enough, but many who buy the game will want to turn the clock back on their weekend.

With its charming characters and engaging story, Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time could have been so much more. Sadly, the dungeon crawling experience is damaged by bad enemy AI, clunky controls and a terrible performance that make the experience very unpleasant. The game does have some interesting features and mechanics, as well as a well-done presentation, but they're not enough to make the game a must-have for those who aren't fans of the anime.

The Council Episode Two brings a lot to the excellent first episode, but some of its experiments don't pay out like they should have. The story is on point, but the puzzles needed a little more work.

Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia is a more streamlined, sleeker and quicker Total War than those before it. However, the changes to make it like this offer new opportunities and one of the more tactical campaign maps than ever before. While it still suffers from some issues, like boring end game and being altogether too easy, there's still a whole lot to gain from playing Thrones of Britannia.

Dragon's Crown remains one of Vanillaware's best titles to grace a PlayStation console and the Pro remaster showcases the beautiful art in 4K glory, but in the end, you're ultimately playing the exact same game that came out five years ago.

Forgotton Anne tries so hard to look and feel great. The first part is easily accomplished, the second one not so much as the game strives to be an emotional, imaginative adventure, but fails to communicate with the player all the way through.

If you’re looking for fun arcade baseball action with a bombastic presentation, Super Mega Baseball 2 is a no-brainer. The easily adjustable difficulty makes these a great game to play with kids. While it won’t have any of the big names in baseball, you can still find a lot of fun in the deep customization and easy-to-pick-up controls.

Guns of Icarus is the kind of game you might fall in love with if you go in with a team of pals, but if you go in alone you might spend a bit too much time waiting for other players and dealing with AI to be too besotted. It's a game that has so much potential, but will likely need a much wider playerbase to reach that point.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an exceptional roleplaying experience that truly lets you forge your own path in a rich, multilayered, grog-soaked world. Occasionally the game is just a touch too retro for its own good, but, for the most part, Pillars of Eternity II proves Obsidian has set the right course. It’s clear sailing ahead for the classic computer RPG.

Light Fall is as pretty as it is dark, and with a few new ideas well fitted into older mechanics. It might be a little too difficult sometimes, but it's a 2D platformer with a story worth playing through.

More modes and plenty more music (and a song editor) would be incredible additions, but there’s still plenty more to come from Beat Saber. What players can get in their $20 purchase of Beat Saber is a rhythm experience that’s swiftly becoming one of my absolute favorite experiences on the Oculus Rift and it can only get better going forward. [Early Access]

With a high spike in difficulty that demands respect and practice to scale over, DJMax Respect is a journey that will take you through the last dozen years of Korean rhythm games with a roster of many of the series' greatest hits.

A charming Roguelite that offers more challenge and secrets than it initially lets on.

It's a shame, but like many Wii U ports that have popped up on Switch, this is an incredibly high-quality title that frankly doesn't give players enough of a reason to play it again. If you never played this game before and never owned a Wii U then it's a great game to play and you'll adore the challenge, but if you've played it all before, like me? Fun to revisit, but hardly essential.

Murderous Pursuits is an entertaining, inventive, and accessible online multiplayer experience hobbled by its technical issues, stingy amount of content, and lack of polish. The game’s developers are promising to brush up and expand the game over the coming months, but will it ever reach its full potential? Only time will tell. There’s fun to be had at this murder party, but you’re probably best showing up fashionably late.

Tower of Time is a rather enjoyable cRPG featuring an extremely engaging real-time battle system and some unusual mechanics, like its leveling system. While the story may not break away from some of the genre clichès, Tower of Time keeps players entertained with its charming characters, unique setting and well-crafted mechanics.

If you’re going to clone a unique, yet flawed game like The Banner Saga, it’s crucial that you significantly improve the experience in some way. Ash of Gods: Redemption doesn’t, replicating its inspiration’s problems, but not its singular vision. Ironically, folks who have never played The Banner Saga will get the most out of this glorified fangame – those who have will likely find Ash of Gods a gray, lifeless imitation.

Frostpunk is a challenging city builder where your decisions have dramatic repercussions on the citizens you’re tasked with looking after in a wintery apocalypse. It's a pleasant surprise that is definitely worth your time if you’re looking for something different and brutally challenging.

Traditional "hardcore" gamers won't get the most out of Labo unless they're willing to massively step outside of what is their gaming comfort zone, while creatives, musicians and children will find so, so much to do and enjoy. But regardless of your playstyle or preference, I can heartily recommend trying Nintendo Labo when you get the chance to put your hands on it. Playing it is fun, everything works, but the satisfaction of building your own peripherals is entirely unique.

39 Days to Mars is a short but funny and compelling trip from Earth to Mars with you and another person, or you and a pet cat. Designed for couch co-op, it doesn't penalise you for being a misanthrope like myself and offers a good amount of replay value with varied paths to take. It's well worth taking this trip to the red planet.

Dead in Vinland is a Viking game in the style of Darkest Dungeon. It's fun, well paced and slightly overcomplicated, but ultimately worth it.

Manticore is a fun and simple space combat game that feels unfortunately marred by a genre that still doesn't understand its audience.

If you have a brain that can’t help but dissect the world in front of you, this game might trouble you. The Adventure Pals is nearly a success but ultimately lacks the organic comedy it needed to truly feel magical.

Empires Apart is a more than competent real-time strategy game featuring solid mechanics and unique features. Sadly, the almost complete lack of single player content damages the experience a bit, making the game recommended, at the current price point, only to those who are willing to play online against other human opponents.

God of War is one of those rare titles that define the console generation. Kratos’ fighting has been refined to its very best and the lands of Midgard are filled with wonders of all manner to explore and defeat. It’s been nearly the entire lifespan of the PlayStation 4 console since Kratos has seen new adventure but the wait has been worth it. Santa Monica Studio’s journey is still far from over, but they’ve once again shown why Kratos is one of gaming’s greatest anti-heroes.

A beautiful game with a simple, engrossing theme running throughout it all. You might think you've seen something like Masters of Anima before, but it has more to offer than it would seem at first glance.

Extinction presents a handful of decent ideas, but they’re executed with all the precision and grace of Godzilla stomping through Tokyo. Buying this sloppy, ugly, derivative, repetitive, technically inept, and unfairly difficult monstrosity is guaranteed to leave your weekend in ruins.

Sea of Thieves is a daring attempt by Rare but also a lacking one on so many fronts. While the graphics are fantastic and the game has a unique charm, ultimately the world feels empty, devoid of content and features. Sailing with friends can be an exhilarating experience at first, but when there's not much to do the fun dies down pretty quickly.

Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is a competent, if somewhat unbalanced and painfully slow, tactical space combat sim. Unfortunately, it’s not much of a Battlestar Galactica adaptation, as it totally lacks the series’ personality, immediacy, and heart. Those obsessed with the nitty-gritty of BSG’s space battles may want to give Deadlock a shot, but most fans will probably want to give this unrefined nugget a pass.

TERA's console launch may be off to a rough start, but the amazing combat system should keep players coming back for more, even for players that just want to enjoy an MMORPG without paying a dime.

Detective Pikachu is a mystery game built for kids, and that is clear throughout, though adult gamers can still have fun with the mysteries and world of Pokémon. Simple, charming, though certainly far from essential.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings is a serviceable entry in the long-running JRPG series by Gust, offering an experience that's surely entertaining, but not as good as Atelier Firis. Additionally, the lack of any real innovation in both story and gameplay departments translates into a very predictable game.

If you're wondering whether bringing the madness to our doorstep, making the entire campaign co-op and including an impressive toolbox to create new levels and missions while still retaining that visceral gunplay the series is known for keeps Far Cry 5 fresh and worth playing on Day One, my answer is: yes, absolutely.

A Way Out is an impressive achievement that definitively proves creativity matters more than bloated budgets and big-name franchises. A technically accomplished, endlessly inventive co-op masterpiece, A Way Out will surprise and excite you from beginning to end. This one deserves to be a breakout hit.

Some Kirby fans will undoubtedly have hours of fun with Kirby Star Allies, while many others will be put off by what they might perceive as fairly bland gameplay. With friends and kids, this is a great game to play, but if you’re looking for a hardcore platformer or something that will challenge you, this frankly is not it.

Watching King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum grow from a usurped young king into the leader of a global superpower and ruler of Evermore is one of the most memorable journeys in recent JRPGs.

Qube 2 might seem like a mashup of Portal and Minecraft, but it has an elegance that most puzzles games struggle to attain, and even turns its hand to a sci-fi story as well.

The game is one of the few entries in the series that manages to capture a feel of adventure, making it a worthy play for those who love stories where the main character raises from nothing to become the most important man in the world.

Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition is the only, true definitive edition of the Square Enix Japanese Role-Playing Game, thanks to the superior graphics quality and several gameplay and story enhancements, which are also included in the consoles' Royal Edition.

One step back and two steps forward; Yakuza 6 changes up some of the core elements for Kiryu's last adventure and give new life to a series that's become a cult classic for JRPG fans.

Attack on Titan 2 has an action-packed campaign that fans of the show will enjoy along with a pretty fun multiplayer mode, even if does look a bit outdated and the traversal system can prove to be more challenging than taking down a Titan.

Burnout Paradise Remastered is like a finely-tuned vintage car – sure, it’s quirky and a bit archaic, but those concerns melt away once you get behind the wheel and rev that engine. Blasting around Paradise City is exciting, rewarding, and a great low-stress tonic for when modern game design gets you down. Oh, you’ll be pleased to take this one home.

While missing some of the polish other games might have, The Council feels like it could be the next step in the genre thanks to branching narratives that feel much weightier than before and a mystery you can't help but be drawn into.

Closers has all of the mundane yet addictive hallmarks of a game that wants you to play every single day, but without any fun gameplay to warrant playing it twice. Maybe good if going in with friends, but there are other games, free or otherwise, more deserving of your time.

While Gravel has issues like strange collisions, cars literally merging into each other and some issues with shadows, there is a lot to say about it. There's a wide variety of racing types, tracks and cars to use. Almost everything is fast paced and entertaining and simply gratifying. Simply put, Gravel is a very good arcade style racing game and Milestone's best game yet.

Billed as the first part of Quill's storybook adventures, Moss showcases some of the best ideas to grace the PlayStation VR since its inception. Not only is it comfortable and easy to get into, but the forest world that Quill calls her home is a character all its own.

The 25th Ward: The Silver Case offers another bit of insight into SUDA51's insane creativity, this time completely rebuilding a mobile phone title into the same framework as that of The Silver Case. While it doesn't quite have the same revelations of The Silver Case, there's still some rough charm left in the aftermath of Kamui Uehara.

Into The Breach blends turn-based strategy and puzzles games on such a tiny, yet perfect scale that it has raised the bar for both genres at the same time.

Subsurface Circular is a lovely, short exploration game on the kind of people you might sit next to on a metro. It's thoughtful, engaging and thought-provoking.

Fear Effect Sedna is proof creativity can’t always overcome poor execution. The game is often quite enjoyable, but the inspired moments can be difficult to appreciate amidst Sedna’s mishandled nostalgia, ill-considered mechanics, and sometimes-wonky level design.

Remothered: Tormented Fathers is one of the best horror games released in recent years, thanks to an engaging story and a well-crafted experience inspired by the Clock Tower series and other older games. With an excellent atmosphere, the lack of predictable jump scares and constant tension, Remothered: Tormented Fathers is a game that any true fan of the genre should not miss.

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a scary reflection of humanity, but perhaps not as scary as your own reflection on the Nintendo Switch's screen.

Despite the backlash from fans decrying that Metal Gear Survive isn't a true Metal Gear game, what's available in this $40 package is a hundred-plus hours of one of the most polished survival games to ever make it onto consoles.

Should you get Payday 2 on Switch? Well if you want an interesting multiplayer shooter and don’t have access to it on other platforms, sure. Otherwise? Probably not. Maybe wait to see how things are after an update or two.

An excellent JRPG and a more than worthy continuation of the saga, thanks to a gripping story, well-developed characters, and engaging battle system. While the gameplay experience hasn't changed much, with only some small enhancements to the battle system and an airship customization system, the game manages to be slightly better than its predecessor, mostly thanks to some interesting and unexpected plot twists and a story that doesn't end in a huge cliffhanger like its predecessor. Highly recommended to all JRPG lovers.

Fe is by no means perfect, but it is a delightful experience that stays with you long after you've put down the controller. Plus the little pup is very cute.

I still enjoyed this new package. Secret of Mana was always about charm and personality over polish. Yes, the game remains a bit of a mess, but that special spark at its core burns brighter than ever. If you loved the original game, or are just in the mood for something light and quirky, this remake strikes true.

An improvement from Milestone on the MXGP series. It certainly can be gripping and it's more than challenging once you get the settings right. Racing through your own career is pretty fun to say the least. The only thing is that, like other Milestone titles, it has its issues that could do with working through.

The Station fails to captivate despite its interesting ideas and puzzles. The setting is nice, but the script and narrative couldn't quite deliver on the core concept.

Attack of the Earthlings is a good, fun and funny game. While it's fairly short and has very limited replay value, the time you spend with it is genuinely fun. More than that, it's funny where most games will feel forced or simply re-use aspects to their death. Though it may not surpass other similar titles like Xenonauts, this is an altogether good experience and one that's well worth playing if you're a fan of the genre.

With great art and an interesting idea at its core, Aegis Defenders still would have needed quite a bit more refinement to really stand out.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age on PC is an excellent port and the definitive version of the game, thanks to a variety of additional options not found in the original PlayStation 4 release, such as the ability to activate cheats, play in New Game + mode from the beginning, graphics customization and the absence of any major issue.

Bayonetta 1 & 2 rank as two of the best action games of all time, and now you can play them on the go. What’s not to love?

Unfortunately The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia just doesn’t do justice to the series at all. There are a few hours of fun to be had here, certainly, but even dedicated fans will find that it doesn’t last long enough. Repetitive battles and shallow combat just don’t keep things interesting for long enough, even if there are several characters to use. Add a point to the score if you're a fan, remove one if you don't know what SDS is.

Dynasty Warriors 9 has finally entered the next generation of gaming, bringing the series' tried and true 1-versus-1,000 fights into a massive open world while sticking true to its roots, for better or for worse.

A confusing product. It’s too complex and longwinded for kids, but too easy, repetitive, and derivative for most adults. The game was made with fans of the original Cyber Sleuth in mind, but will frustrate those same fans with its rampant rehashing. Hardcore Digimon devotes may find something to enjoy here, but most will want to forget Hacker's Memory.

An excellent remake of one of the most critically acclaimed video games in history.

Rise and Fall is an expansion about strategy, storytelling and is an absolute dream for anybody a fan of long-termism.

A lovely art style combines with some great crafting mechanics in this delightful RPG. It really is the best Minecraft-like I’ve seen, and with the charming Toriyama art style and more structured progression system, it’s a game you can play for hours. Recommended for young gamers, Dragon Quest fans, and anyone looking for something new on Nintendo Switch.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT should be a celebration of the series as a whole and instead makes the franchise feel washed up. Character interactions are nice and graphics are definitely pretty, but mechanically the game feels behinds its competition and far more frustrating. Only recommended for the most hardcore of Final Fantasy fans, but even then, no local multiplayer? What’s the point?

Under Night In-Birth Late[st] is the complete package for fighting game fans, with the visual novel-like story being the only potential let down for anyone that isn’t used to how Arc System Works do things. It’s even worth buying, despite the excellent recent fighting game releases, because the combo flexibility and accessibility for both experienced and inexperienced fighting game fans are fairly unique even among fighters.

An entire JRPG trimmed down to the length of a single afternoon, The Longest Five Minutes brings a Memento-esque experience that plays around with the plays with the concept of time and the fallibility of our own memories.

Be prepared to study outside of the game as the tutorials simply do not cut it. UFC 3 is the best game in the series so far, however the developers still have a long way to go before it reaches the heights of the other EA Sports titles.

Candleman: The Complete Journey is one of the best indie platformers I’ve played in some time. Certainly, one of the best 3D indie platformers. Candleman mixes clever mechanics, varied level design, and a whole lot of charm to create an experience that’s guaranteed to light your fire.

Subnautica is one of the best survival games released in recent years, and one of the best indie games released in the beginning of 2018. With an interesting story, a variety of play modes that can tone down and completely remove survival elements and plenty of freedom in how to proceed, Subnautica is a game that can also be enjoyed by those who aren't particularly fond of the genre.

Railway Empire is a strong but shallow entry into the railway management style of games that has gone long ignored. With a few slight downfalls, primarily as a result of the game only offering limited maps and time periods to operate in, it can go by a little too quick and become repetitive. However, the journey to get to that stage can be enthralling as it offers a high level of tactical thinking as you interlink your network of rails.

Kerbal Space Program is a game that makes you feel dumb before it makes you feel smart. That is its appeal. There are some issues with its presentation on console, but if you want to feel smart and have the time to learn (and don't mind the annoying controls and menus), this is the game.

Lost Sphear is a competently assembled retro product that may dredge up fond memories of older, better JRPGs, but it lacks a personality of its own. The unique, melancholy world of I Am Setsuna has been replaced by soulless tropes, and incrementally improved battle mechanics and dungeons don’t make up for that loss of identity. Sadly, the makers of Lost Sphear have lost the thread.

Supermassive Games has aimed for something truly ambitious in the horror sector with The Inpatient. While there are some fine ideas in play, this brief psychological experience could've used a little bit more time in therapy.

As the first debut on new platforms, Monster Hunter World displays excellence in every hunt. The new changes are a great evolution of the series that can get new players their first taste of hunting while veteran players will look forward to seeing an old nemesis in High Rank hunts.

Iconoclasts takes the Metrovania genre to a new level of polish and charm, with plenty of secrets and a story that's surprisingly refreshing for the genre. It may not reinvent the wheel but rather shows that there's still plenty that can be uncovered when you apply seven years worth of polish to the sidescrolling standard.